Appeal No. 2004-2279 Page 6
Application No. 10/151,263
internal piling so that once placed by the rig, they can be quickly driven to affix the truss
to the seabed. As shown in Figures 1-2, a lean-to well protector truss apparatus 10 is
provided for use on offshore wells having a generally vertically upstanding conductor
pipe 12 which extends between the sea bed 14 and the water surface WS. The lean-to
truss apparatus 10 includes a pair of hollow tubular jacket legs 17, 18 that are angularly
oriented with respect to the conductor pipe 12 forming an acute angle therewith. Each
jacket leg 17, 18 includes respective lower end portions 17A, 18A and respective upper
end portions 17B, 18B. The lower end portions 17A, 18A can extend into the sea bed
or merely terminate at or near the sea bed. A first plurality of structural chord members
19-25 interconnect the jacket legs 17, 18 and form in combination therewith a truss that
leans toward the conductor pipe 12, the truss being spaced closer to the conductor pipe
12 at the top end portion of the truss as shown in Figure 1, and farther from the
conductor 12 pipe at the bottom end portion of the truss. A second plurality of structural
chord members 35-37 interconnect the conductor pipe 12 with the truss and at least
some of the second plurality of structural chord members extend between the truss and
the first and second clamps 26, 30.
After the scope and content of the prior art are determined, the differences
between the prior art and the claims at issue are to be ascertained. Graham v. John
Deere Co., 383 U.S. 1, 17-18, 148 USPQ 459, 467 (1966).
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